Bele Chere day 1 roundup

Local singer-songwriter Chuck Brodsky performed on the Haywood Street stage on Friday at 5:45 p.m. Known for his songs about baseball this one, “Monrovians vs. The Klan” continues in that tradition. It will appear on his forthcoming album. Video by Jesse Hamm.

The Bright Light Social Hour, from Austin, Tex., played the Biltmore Avenue Stage at 6:15 p.m. Their set was a dynamic mix of psychedelic rock, southern rock and soul, and their catalog ranged from poppy to downright heavy (how many times have you reached for your earplugs during an outdoor show)? They wrapped with their disco-soaked “Back and Forth.” Photos by John Zara.


Asheville’s CrazyHorse and Colston played one of the festival’s opening slots. Go here for a review. Video of “Lost in West Asheville” by Jesse Hamm.

As Christian Church of Alligator Indian posted on Facebook last night, “For some (awesome) reason, Dan Deacon is playing in the middle of downtown Asheville at our annual tourists and funnel cake festival.” The electronic musician and Moogfest alum closed out the Biltmore Avenue Stage. Photos by John Zara.


It’s hard to say if the crowd was split between Deacon and septuagenarian rockabilly queen Wanda Jackson. Twitter indicates at least a few people bounced between those shows, as Jackson closed the Battery Park stage. She performed with a crackerjack band that could have been her grandchildren, but she was the obvious star of the show in her pink spotlight and fringed shirt, playing her hits and telling charming stories. Photos by John Zara.


Full photo slideshows will follow.

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About Alli Marshall
Alli Marshall has lived in Asheville for more than 20 years and loves live music, visual art, fiction and friendly dogs. She is the winner of the 2016 Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize and the author of the novel "How to Talk to Rockstars," published by Logosophia Books. Follow me @alli_marshall

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